Boston Celtics Look to Close Out Kobe Bryant, Los Angeles Lakers

As Boston looks to close out Los Angeles and add another NBA championship to their arsenal, it is not hard to figure out why the Lakers are having a hard time deciphering the Celtics.

For starters, it’s Kobe versus Boston’s whole team.  No one has stepped up to be that consistent number two threat to take some of the heat off of Kobe.  Pau Gasol was supposed to be that guy, but he is having problems scoring one on one versus Perkins and Garnett.

Lamar Odom hasn’t been a consistent second scoring option either.  That leaves it squarely on the shoulders of Kobe to not only take over the game when necessary, but to create good scoring opportunities for his teammates.

Sasha Vujacic has provided a spark at times, but against the longer, athletic Celtics, he has been inconsistent. 

Boston hasn’t had that problem.  They know if Paul Pierce is struggling they can look to Garnett and Ray Allen to carry the load.  They play with a confidence that sooner or later, at least one of them will get hot and spark the team.

The Lakers much publicized bench has been marginalized by the physical play of the Celtics' bench.  We forget that James Posey and Sam Cassell have championship resumes and are used to pressure situations.  P.J. Brown and Leon Powe’s physical play and rebounding have made Ronny Turiaf a non-factor.

Jordan Farmar has not been able to provide a consistent spark like he did in the regular season as well.  Boston’s transition defense has forced the Lakers' second unit to play a lot of half-court offense, and they have not thrived.

Boston has been tougher than Los Angeles also.  They are the ones willing to mix it up and put a body on someone in the paint.  The Laker bigs are not matching them, and I don’t think they can.  

Los Angeles' only chance is to run and get easy baskets as opposed to standing around on offense and waiting for someone to make a move.  They need to push the tempo on every Celtic miss, but too many times they have been tentative.

Bottom line: Boston is a better team and too tough a match-up for this Laker team.  My last word on this is my original prediction: Boston in six.